Mechanism for actuating fluids



PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904.

R. GONRADER. MECHANISM FOR AGTUATING FLUIDS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, 1899.

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APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, 1899.

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, INVENTOR ATTORNEY UNITED STATES Patented September 20, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING FLUIDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,518, dated September 20, 1904.

Application filed April 24, 1899. Serial No. 714,289. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH CoNRADER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Actuating Fluids; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to mechanism for actuating fluids; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction therein, as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

More particularly, the invention relates to a mechanism for compressing gases wherein there is utilized a process in which the compressing medium is also a cooling medium, so that the heat produced by compression is largely taken up by the cooling medium, through which the compression is effected.

The invention also comprises other features in compressing mechanisms the details of which will more fully appear in the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a side elevation of the mechanism. Fig. 2 shows a section of a cooler for the actuating liquid fluid. Fig. 3 shows a section on the line 3 8 of said cooler. Fig. 4 shows a vertical section of the device. Fig. 5 shows a section on the line 5 5 in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 shows a section of the valve-motor on the line 6 6 in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 shows a top plan view of the valve of the valve-motor. Fig. 8 shows a bottom plan view of the same valve. Fig. 9 shows a plan view of the valve-seat for the valvemotor. Fig. 10 shows a sectional view of the governor.

In describing the mechanism for convenience I shall start at the receiver and work back to the compressing mechanism.

A marks the receiver into which the compressed gas is carried; B, the pipe leading to said receiver. This pipe leads from a chamber C, in which is the check-valve 0. Above the check-valve o is a plunger 0, which rests on a diaphragm 0 A spring 0 is tensioned to compress the valve 0 to its seat. In the initial stages of the operation of the mechanism the check-valve 0 is held to its seat by the spring 0 but as the pressure in the receiver A, and consequently the chamber C, increases it becomes suflicient to overcome the tension of the spring 0 through its action upon the diaphragm 0 so that after a slight pressure is attained in the pipe system leading to the receiver the valve 0 becomes inactive. The pipe D leads to the chamber C from the valvechambers e, which are connected with the compression-chambers. Check-valves dare placed in the chambers e and prevent the return'movement of the gas from the pipe system. The compression-chambers E are provided with a centrally-located tube E, which extends through the bottom of the compressor into a valve-chamber E. A float-valve e is arranged on the tube E and operates over the ports a leading to the compression-chamber. top of the tube E is a spreader E in the lower side of which are the perforations e. Extending upwardly from the spreader E is the cage 6, in which'is arranged the floatvalve OF. The float-valve 0Z is adapted to close on the seat d. The air-inlet pipe F enters the top of the compression-chamber and is provided with a check-valve f, which prevents a return movement of the fluid from the compression-chamber.

In operation theliquid under pressure enters into the pipe H, into the chamber E and carries up with it the valve e which closes the port 6. The liquid then passes up the tube E through the spreader E and is forced into the chamber E in the form of a spray. As the liquid in the chamber E rises it forces the gas from the upper end of the chamber through the pipes D, chamber C. pipe B, into the chamber A. When the liquid reaches the upper end of the compressor-chamber, it carries up with it the float d which closes the outlet 6 from the compressor. Upon the reversal of the actuating-fluid mechanism the liquid in the chamber E passes out through the ports 6', the valve 0 falling away from said ports to permit this movement.

The

At the check-valve D prevents the return movement of the compressed gas, and the compressorchamber is filled through the supply-pipe F.

It will be seen that the pipes D, chambers C and A all together form the receptacle for the actuated fluid.

The mechanism for accomplishing a reverse movement of the actuating liquid is as follows: The valve-chest J is provided with the double seat j j and j, upon which is adapted to seat the double valve K K. The liquid passes from the compressor-pump to the valve-chest J through the pipe L and discharges from the valve-chest to or toward the compresso rpump through the pipe L. In the position shown inFig. 4 the liquid is passing through the pipe H into the chamber on the left, and liquid is coming through the pipe I and one of the branches 2', through the chest into the pipe L. As the valve K is moved to the seats j j liquid will pass from the pipe L to the pipe I through the 'branchz' at the left, and liquid will pass from the compressor-chamber E at the left of the figure into the pipe L, thus reversing the mechanism. The valve K is carried on a stem 76, which is connected with a piston K, arranged in a cylinder M. Ports m lead from the cylinder M into a chest N, in which is the valve Q, which controls the valvemotor. The chest N has a central portion in which is placed the valveQ, and cylindricalportions N, in which are the plug-pistons O O. Pipes P P lead from the ends of the cylindrical portions N N of the chest N to the compression-chambers. Apipe N leads from the central part of the chest to the pipes D. The valve Q is provided with a central cavity q, into which the pipe N enters, and this'central cavity is connected with the ends of the chest through the ports (1 q. Motor-fluid ports Q2 (1 pass through the valve Q, in position to register with the ports m m in the valve-seat. The valve is also provided with the 'crossways g Q3, which are adapted to be brought into register with the ports m m and to connect said ports with the exhaust-ports m. Pipes R lead from the exhaust-portm through a check-valve r into the pipes P, so that if the gas being compressed is of such character that it is desirable to save it the exhaust from the valve-motor will be into the compression-chambers, so that the gas will not be lost.

The operation of the valve-motor is as follows: Gas entering from the compressionchamber passes into the pipe D and is checked by the valve 0, so as to create a pressure in the valve system D, which is communicated through the pipe N to the chest N. In the position shown in Fig. 4: the gas has passed through the ports g and m, and its pressure is exerted against the piston K, pressing the valve K to its seats. This pressure is also exerted upon the plug-pistons so that the pressure exerted upon the valve side of the ,to the left end of the cylinder M.

plug-piston O is at all times at least equal to that on the compressor side, except when the reversal of the valve takes place and with the exception of the pressure which may be due to the height of the column of liquid in the compression-chamber, which in the ordinary arrangement of the mechanism is not sufficient to overcome the friction of the plugpiston. When the pressure on either plug.- piston is greater on the valve side than the compressor side, the plug-piston is forced to a seat provided at the end of the projection N, so that there is no danger of gas leaking past the plug-pistons while the compressionchamber is exhausting. VVhen the liquid in the chamber E reaches the top of the chamber, so as to close the valve (Z the pressure in the chamber E immediately rises above that of the outlet-pressure, and this creates an excess of pressure on the compressor side of the plug-piston 0, so that it is immediately actuated and presses the valve Q to the opposite end of the chest N. This brings the port 9 at the left in register with the port m at the left, so that gas under pressure is admitted At the same time the way g is brought over the port on at the right, thus connecting said port in with the exhaust-port m". This pressure on the piston K immediately actuates the piston, which carries with it the valve 76 and reverses the movement of liquid into the chambers E, so that the liquid will then pass into the chamber E at the right and from the chamber E at the left. This operation is repeated as long as the apparatus is in operation.

It will be noted in connection with the reversing-valve device that it opens all the passages to each other during the reversing movement. This action affords an immediate outlet for the liquid, thus preventing the blocking of the machine. By using a gas for the valve-motor its expansion insures the completion of the reversing movement.

The pipe L is connected with the outlet end of the compressor-pump S and the pipe L with the inlet of said compressor. pipe S of the compressor is provided with a valve-chamber S in which is a throttle-valve s. The stem 8 of the valve s is provided at its outer end witha pin .9 which extends through a slot 14 in a bell-crank lever U. A bracket T is secured to the chamber S, on which the bell-crank lever is pivoted. The cylinder T is arranged in said bracket, and a piston V is arranged in this cylinder. -The rod c extends from the piston V and is connected by a link '0 with the bell-crank lever U. A spring 0 is tensioned against the piston, and a pipe t connects the lowerend of the cylinder with the pressure side of the pump T and the pipe t with the suction side of the pump. The valve 8 is so arranged that an outward movement of the stem .9 opens saidvalve. In the beginning of the operation The steam- I of compressing a compression-chamber of gas I closed by the specification. Neither do Iclaim very little energy is required to force the liquid into said chamber, andas there is very little pressure exerted upon the piston V the spring o holds the piston V down to its lowest position, and this holds the stem in its extremeinner position, so that the valve 8' allows very small inflow of steam or other actuating fluid. As the compression-chamber E is filled with liquid and the pressure on the gas increases the pressure on the piston V also increases and raises the piston V against the spring of, thus opening the valve 8 and giving to the compressor-pump the necessary additional power.

A cooler W may be placed in the liquid system of piping at any place, but preferably in the pipe L, the liquid passing through the pipe L into the cooling-coil w, and cooling medium is placed in the tank w, so that the liquid passing through the coil is cooled when it is carried back into the compressor-chamher A. It enters the chamber cooled by the cooler WV and is in condition to take up the heat incident to the compression of the gas. A jacket E may also be placed around the compressor-chambers and a cooling medium passed through said jacket by means of the outlet and inlet e a When it is desired, the apparatus may be used without alteration as a vacuum-pump, except that the exhaust from the valve-motor should not be carried into the compressorchamber. The pipes R may be cut off by the valves 7', which are arranged to exhaust the atmosphere when they are turned to cut off the pipes R. When so used, the governor acts by reason of the exhaustion of fluid from the upper end of the cylinder T through the pipe 25. The under side being exposed to pressure at least equal to atmospheric pressure moves the piston V, and the governor is effected in the same manner as when the apparatus is used as a compressor.

Instead of using the pressure from the system to operate against the plug-piston O a constant pressure may be employed, the only limitation being that the means used should exert a greater pressure than the maximum outlet-pressure desired. I prefer, however, that the fluid under pressure in direct connection with the outlet be used, because then it is only necessary to raise the pressure in the compressor-chamber above the existing outlet-pressure to efl'ect the reverse movement.

VVhate-ver moisture is precipitated in the receiver A may be carried off by the pipe a, which is connected with the pipe L. A valve a closes the end of this pipe when the liquid in the receiver A does not cover it, and the valve is opened by the action of afloat (6 when the liquid rises above it to any extent.

' I do not claim in this application the process of cooling and compressing gases as disin this specification the compressor-governor shown in detail in Fig. 10, the said compressor-governor being included in the subject-matter of a separate application filed by me March 2, 1901, Serial No. 9,629.

What I claim as new is 1. In a mechanism for actuating fluids, the combination of a chamber having an inlet and an outlet passage for the fluid actuated; passages for the admission and exhaustion of the actuating fluid; a valve device for reversing the flow of actuating fluid to and from said chamber; mechanism for actuating said reversing-valve, means for closing the actuated-fluid outlet from said chamber when the chamber becomes filled with the actuating fluid; and means arranged to be subjected to the opposing pressures of the actuating fluid and the actuated fluid, and to be actuated by the increase in pressure of the actuating fluid after the closing of the chamber for controlling said reversing-valve-actuating mechanism.

2. In a mechanism for actuating fluids, the combination of a chamber having aninletand an' outlet passage for the fluid actuated; passages for the admission and exhaustion of the actuating fluid; a valve device for reversing the flow of actuating fluid to and from said chamber; means for closing the actuated-fluid outlet from said chamber when the chamber becomes filled with the actuating fluid; an auxiliary motor for actuating said reversing- Valve; a valve for controlling said auxiliary motor; and means arranged to be subjected to the opposing pressures of the actuating fluid and the actuated fluid and to be actuated by the increase in pressure of the actuating fluid after the closing of the chamber for actuating the valve of said auxiliary motor.

3. In a mechanism for compressing gases, the combination of a chamber having an inlet and outlet passage for the gases; passages for the admission and exhaustion of an actuating liquid; a valve device for reversing the flow of liquid to and from said chamber; means for closing the actuated-fluid outlet from said chamber when the chamber becomes filled with the liquid; an auxiliary motor for actuating said reversing-valve; a connection between said motor and the compressed gas "for conveying the compressed gas to said motor; a valve for controlling said connection and the motor; and means arranged to be subjected to the opposing pressures of the actuating liquid and the compressed gas, and to be actuated by the increase in pressure of the liquid after the closing of the chamber for actuating said motor-valve.

4:. In a mechanism for compressing gases, the combination of a chamber having an inlet and outletpassage for the gases; passages for the admission and exhaustion of an actuating liquid; a compressor-pui'np for forcing liquid into said chamber; a valve device for revers- &

ing the flow of liquid to and from said chamber; means for closing the outlet from said chamber when the chamber becomes filled with the liquid; an auxiliary motorfor actuating said reversing-valve; a connection arranged to convey gas compressed by the apparatus to said motor; a valve for controlling said connection; and means arranged to be subjected to the opposing pressures of the actuating liquid and the compressed gas, and to be actuated by the increase in pressure of the liquid after closing of the chamber for actuating said reversing-valve.

5. In a device for compressing gases, the combination of a chamber; outlet and inlet passages for the gases; passages for the admission and exhaustion of the liquid; means for closing the chamber when the chamber becomes filled with liquid; a reversing-valve for controlling the passage of liquid to the chamber; a motor for controlling said valve; a valve for controlling said motor; the chest, N; plug-pistons, O O, in said chest; a connection between the chest and the compression-chamber, said plugs being subjected to pressure through said connections from said chamber, and to a counter pressure which prevents their movement, except through the increase in pressure incident to the closing of said chamber, and said plugs being also arranged to actuate in their movement the valve for controlling the motor which controls the reversing-valve.

6. In a valve device, for a gas-compressor, the combination of the cylinder, M, having the ports, m; the piston, K; the valve, Q, arranged with the ports, (f, and ways, q"; the chest, N, having the projections, N; the plugpistons, O, in said projections; a connection between the valve-chest and the compressed gas, said connection at the chest being at the valve side of the plugs; connections between the ends of said chest and the compressorchambers; and said compressor-chambers.

7. In a valve device, for a gas-compressor, the combination of the cylinder, M, having v the ports, m; the piston, K; the valve, Q,

arranged with the ports, Q2, and ways, q,- the chest, N, having the projections, i provided with seats at its ends; the plug-pistons, O, in said projections and arranged to close on the seats in said projections; a connection between the valve-chest and the compressed gas, said connection at the chest being at the valve side of the plugs; connections between the ends of said chest and the compressor-chambers; and said compressor-chambers.

8. In a valve device for a gas-compressor, the combination of the cylinder, M, having the ports, m, and the exhaust-ports, m; the piston, K; the valve, Q, arranged with the ports, 9 and ways, (1 the chest, N, having the projections, N; the plug-pistons, O, in said projections; a connection arranged to convey compressed gas to said valve-chest,

said connection at the chest being at the valve side of the plug-pistons; connections between the exhaust-ports and said chambers; and said compressor-chambers.

9. In a gas compressor, the combination with the compressor-chamber; a valve device for controlling the passage of actuated fluid to and from said chamber; a motor for actuating said valve device; a valve mechanism for controlling said motor; means for actuating said valve mechanism, said means being subjected to the opposing pressure of said chamber and the gas compressed at the gas-outlet for actuating said means; a pressure-regulator in the gas-outlet pipes arranged to close said outlet until the pressure is sufficient to control said valve-mechanism-actuating means, and to be opened by the force exerted by the gas after the reaching of such a pressure, and to be held normally open by said gas; and a connection between said gas-outlet pipes and said motor.

10. In a gas-compressor, the combination with the compressor-chamber; a valve device for controlling the passage of actuated fluid to and from said chamber; a motor for actuating the said valve device; means for actuating said valve mechanism, said means being subjected to the opposing pressure of said chamber and the gas compressed at the gasoutlet for actuating said means; a pressureregulator comprising the valve, 0, plunger, 0', spring, 0 and diaphragm, 0 and a connection between the gas-outlet and the valve-motor, said connection being between the said chamber and said pressure-regulator.

11. In a gas-compressor, the combination of a chamber adapted to bring an actuating liquid, and a gas to be actuated into immediate contact; a pump for forcing liquid; connections between said pump and said chamber leading to and from the pump and to and from the chamber; and a valve device for reversing the flow of liquid between the pump and the chamber, said valve device being arranged to open the connections leading to and from the pump to each other during the reversing movement.

12. In a gas-compressor, the combination of two compressionchambers, adapted to bring .a compressing liquid and the gas to be actuated into immediate contact; a pump for actuatingsaid liquid; connections leading to and from said pump between said pump and said chambers; and a valve device for shifting the flow of liquid from the pump from one chamber to the other; said valve device being arranged to open the connections to both chambers to each other during the shifting movement of said valve device.

13. In a gas-compressor, the combination of the chambers, E; outlet and inlet passages for the gas; a connection between said chambers and the chest, J, having the seats, j the double valve, K, arranged to act on said seats -IIO IZO

for reversing the passage of liquid to and the tube, E, and the jet-openings, 6 in the from the chambers, E. spreader, E". I0

14:. In a gas-compressor the combination of In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the chamber, E, having the exhaust-ports, 6; presence of two Witnesses. o 5 the chamber, E ;the tube, E, extending into RUDOLPH CONRADER.

the top of the chamber, E, and into the cham- Witnesses: ber, E the float-valve, e controlling the pas- M. BURY,

sages, e; the spreader, E connected with H. C. LORD. 

